Audio Video News

Pioneer has added two models to its Elite series of A/V receivers: the SC-71 ($1,100) and SC-72 ($1,400). The 7.2-channel receivers will be available this month and offer multi-zone and multi-source capability, 4K Ultra HD upscaling, high-resolution audio playback, wireless control via Pioneer’s free iControlAV2013 app (for Apple and Android device), and the company’s Class D3 amplification, which is designed to minimize distortion at high output levels. The SC-71 is rated to deliver 7 x 170 watts and the SC-72 7x170 watts, both into 6 ohms; the SC-72 features an aluminum front panel and insulated dual chassis.

Both models offer a variety of multizone set-up configurations, support two-way RS-232-over-IP control, and are compatible with Crestron, Control4, and other popular control systems. All seven speaker outputs can be reconfigured five different ways, including a 7.2-channel speaker setup or a 5.1-channel setup with the extra outputs used for powering a second zone. Both also support simultaneous playback from different sources in up to three zones—a main zone, a powered Zone 2 with two speakers, and a third HDZone with an HDMI-connected source in a third room. The SC-72 includes bass/treble, volume, and balance control and the option to use a subwoofer in Zone 2 and volume and balance control in Zone 3.

Additional features common to both models include:

• A Push Player feature on the iControlAV2013 app for accessing music libraries stored on mobile devices and creating playlists for wireless streaming
• The AVNavigator interactive owner’s manual (available for Windows, Mac, and iPad) that walks users through the setup process, including speaker arrangement, sound optimization, and firmware updates
• Expanded music options, including access to music streaming services such as Pandora, playback of WAV, MP3, WMA, AAC, and FLAC files from a networked computer or a connected USB drive and playback of high-resolution AIFF and Apple Lossless files as well as gapless and DSD file playback
• Windows 8 and DLNA 1.5 certification, the latter for playback from a networked DLNA server or DLNA application on a Windows PC, Mac, or smartphone connected on a home network, either through a wired Ethernet connection or an optional wireless Wi-Fi adapter
• Apple AirPlay support for streaming iTunes music from a Mac, PC, or iPhone/iPad/iPod
• Android support for streaming, including streaming from HTC smartphones
• 4K Ultra HD upscaling with 4K passthrough
• Mobile High Definition (MHL) connectivity/charging for playing audio and video content stored on smartphones